#FollowFriday: International Women’s Day

In nearly 30 countries throughout the world, the day is often honored by men giving small gifts to the women in their lives (cough, cough).

But it’s grown into helping women gain equality globally and this year celebrates women such as Sheryl Sandberg, author of “Lean In” and chief operating officer at Facebook.

Closer to home, I’d like to celebrate four women who help me get through each and every day. They take on more and more responsibility to help us grow and exceed our goals and they are passionate, focused, and determined to be part of a vision that looks to change the perception of the public relations industry.

If I ever complain to my mom about being overwhelmed at work, she’ll say, “But you have Patti.” And she’s right. Patti makes everything better.

An Elvis Presley super fan, secret love of Jay Cutler (in her dreams), wearer of holiday socks (even on non-holidays), and lover of coffee, she’s not only a colleague, she’s one of my best friends.

Allen Mireles

Ask anyone online about Allen and they’ll say, “Oh #whatnot?”

I can’t remember how she got that nickname, but every once in a while you’ll see her say something such as, “Oh you know. It’ll be like this and this and whatnot.”

And so the nickname stuck.

She’s hilarious and kind and one of the most sensitive women I know. Quick to raise her hand to volunteer to do something new, she analyzes client challenges and finds several solutions to not only deliver results, but provide high-level counsel on business issues.

Lover of unicorns, oatmeal raisin cookies, and rainbows, she’s optimistic about all things in life, including the crazy obstacles thrown at her nearly daily.

Give her a little extra love today. Her longtime companion, Annie, who is nearly 20 years old is close to dying. As a dog lover myself, that breaks my heart.

Lindsay Bell

Most of you likely already know Lindsay. She is the content director here and manages all of the guest authors, our monthly Spin Sucks Pro webinars, and is working feverishly to finish content inside our paywall to bring you consistent and daily education.

New mom to puppy Hank (which I know will come to a surprise to you if you’re friends with her on Facebook) and old mom to a 13-year-old son, Lindsay has her hands full with the men in her life (including her husband, Drew).

She is one of the few people on earth who can look at a problem, analyze it, and fix it in a moment’s notice (my mom is like that, too).

That is, unless she “loses” the send button in her email.

But, other than that, she’s a content whiz, fantastic writer, and a totally inappropriate and hilarious woman.

All of us (you included) are lucky to have her as part of the Spin Sucks team.

Yvette Pistorio

You know those lists that go around of people to watch? The up-and-coming stars in their fields?

Yvette belongs on those lists.

Of the group of us, she’s the quiet one, but I have a feeling it’s because she’s absorbing as much as she can from the craziness of the rest of us and using it to her advantage (though none of us have been blackmailed yet).

Mom to Lola (if you like our Facebook page, you’ll see photos of her there) and lover of all things green, Yvette spends her days working directly with me on client accounts, which means she has her hands really, really full.

And, mark my words, she’s going to explode on the scene like an overnight sensation and you’ll have heard it here first.

On this International Women’s Day, say hello to Patti, Allen, Lindsay, and Yvette, follow them online, and thank the women in your life.